Blood Clots (reducing the risks)...Blood Clots (reducing the risks) Information for patients This leaflet explains how we reduce the risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary

Blood Clots

(reducing the

risks)

Information for patients

This leaflet explains how we reduce

the risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

and pulmonary embolism (PE)

during and after your stay in hospital.

every time

Safe & compassionate care,

252520-WZZ1294_12pp.qxp_Layout 1 18/06/2019 09:30 Page 1

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What are blood clots?

Your blood has a mechanism that normally forms a blood clot (plug) to stop the bleeding when you are injured (e.g when you have a cut). Sometimes this mechanism can go wrong and forms a blood clot without an injury, which can reduce the blood supply to the affected area.

This is called venous thromboembolism (VTE), which can happen:

In a vein of the leg causing a deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

and

If the DVT becomes loose, it can travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). This condition can be fatal.

Figure 1

Figure 2


Who is at risk? If measures are not in place to prevent blood clots, around

10-40% of patients admitted to hospital will develop a DVT

but it could be as many as 60% in certain specialties like

orthopaedic surgery. The risk varies from patient to

patient.

For this reason, all patients admitted to hospital should

have an assessment for their risk of developing a VTE.

The following table shows a list of risk factors, check

which ones apply to you.

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VTE Risk Factors

Related to your Admission to HospitalTick TickRelated to You

Age over 60

Being overweight

Having cancer and cancer treatment

Having disorders (e.g. such as diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, heart disease, …)

Dehydration

Pregnancy or 6 weeks post birth

You or your family member having a blood clot in the past

Taking the contraceptive pill or HRT

Being unwell

Infection / Sepsis

Reduced activity / periods in bed

Having an operation (specially on your tummy or orthopaedic)

Having an anaesthetic

Having a plaster cast

Being in intensive care


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How to reduce the risk?General recommendations:

Stay Active

Drink Plenty

Foot and Leg Exercises

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5


Prescription Only:

Anti-embolism stockings and leg cuffs

Medication (injection or tablets)

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Figure 6 Figure 7

Figure 8


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If you have risk factors and have not been given stockings and/or medication to

prevent blood clots, let the doctor know straight away.

You should not be offered stockings/leg cuffs and anti-clotting

medication if you have the following conditions (tick the ones that apply to you)

Poor circulation on your legs

Severe leg swelling

Heart Failure

Skin problems on the leg (dermatitis, skin graft, fragile skin)

Poor sensation on your legs

If you are bleeding

Low platelet count (less than 50)

Poor kidney function

Recent spinal, brain or eye operations

If you are already taking anticlotting medication (check with your doctor if in doubt

No medication (injection or tablets)Tick TickNo stockings / leg cuffs


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Are there possible

complications?

Be aware of the following uncommon complications of the

treatment:

Medication (injection or tablets)

This can happen if not sized and applied correctly

Skin marking Wounds Discomfort

(legs should be measured, heel pocket centered on heel, not rolling down):

If this happens, let your nurse and doctor know. If you have been discharged please phone your GP.

Allergy (e.g. rash) x Ex-treme bruising or bleed-ing (e.g. nosebleeds, in the urine or stools, from surgical wounds, heavy periods internal bleeding) x Extreme tiredness or pallor

Anti-embolism stockings and leg cuffs

}Figure 6

Figure 8

Figure 7


How do you know if you get a

blood clot?

If you suspect you have a DVT call your GP ASAP!

This is an emergency! If you suspect you have a PE call 999 immediately!

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Figure 9

Figure 10


Advice for when you leave the

hospital

It is estimated that you will still be at risk of getting a blood

clot up to 3 months after being discharged.

That is why it is so important to keep following the general

advice from “How to Reduce the Risk” on this leaflet. In

addition to that, the doctor may or may not prescribe you

antiembolism stockings and / or medication to go home

with.

If you are discharged with antiembolism stockings: (this is common if you have significantly reduced mobility expected to last 3 days or more after discharge):

3 Ask your nurse your leg measurements and size:

Calf width____ cm Leg length___cm Size ____

3 Make sure they fit correctly (heel pocket on the heel, not rolling down)

3 Wear them all day and all night (take 2 pairs, for laundry requirements)

3 Always remove them every day for 30mins – this is a must to check for complications (see section ‘Are

There Possible Complications’)

3 Wear them until you are back to your normal activity level

3 Remove them and call your GP if you have any issues or complications

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If you are discharged with anticoagulant medication: (this is common after hip and knee replacement, ankle fractures, if you have cancer and an operation or if you had a previous blood clot, however, other cases may require it too):

3 Make sure you take it as prescribed

3 Take it every day at the same time/times

3 Do not miss any doses

3 Keep an eye out for bleeding (see section ‘Are there any possible complications’ on this leaflet)

3 Any problems with your anti-clotting medication, contact your GP immediately


Useful information: Buckinghamshire Hospitals Trust Patient Medicines

Helpline: 01296 31 6197

Buckinghamshire Healthcare website:

http://www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk/

forpatientsandvisitors/patient-information-leaflets Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of

hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89

Use NHS services Reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) for patients in

hospital.

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng89

Other useful websites

www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis

www.patient.co.uk

Download the App Preventing VTE (found in Google Play)

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Author: Adapted from Jonathan Pattinson's by

Mariana de Mascarenhas

Issue date: May 2019

Review date: April 2022

Leaflet code: WZZ 1294

Version: 3

How can I help reduce healthcare

associated infections?

Infection control is important to the well-being of our

patients and for that reason we have infection

control procedures in place. Keeping your hands

clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of

infections. We ask that you, and anyone visiting

you, use the hand rub (special gel) available at the

main entrance of the hospital and at the entrance to

every ward before coming in to and after leaving

the ward or hospital. In some situations hands may

need to be washed at the sink using soap and

water rather than using the hand rub. Staff will let

you know if this is the case.

www.buckshealthcare.nhs.uk

If you require an interpreter or need a document in

another language, large print, Braille or audio

version please ask for assistance.

Figure 1: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulmonary_embolism

Figures 2, 3, 4 and 8: www.pixabay.com

Figure 5: https://www.finavia.fi/en/newsroom/2017/easy-flight-exercises-prevent-deep-vein-thrombosis

Figure 6: www.compressionstocking.co

Figure 7: www.djoglobal.eu

Figures 9 and 10: https://cancerclot.info/


Documents

Blood Clots (reducing the risks)...Blood Clots (reducing the risks) Information for patients This leaflet explains how we reduce the risks of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary